After all, Judith Jones is also a well-known editor who has edited more than a dozen best-selling cooking books. Her knowledge of cuisines from various countries is far beyond ordinary people, and she also has unique insights into cooking.
But she was deeply hurt by Lin Chaoyang's eyes and tone. His condescending attitude was like that of a learned old man treating a kindergarten child, which was really unpleasant.
"Lin, I also think cooking is an art, so it's worth promoting.'
"No, you don't understand."
Judith Jones wanted to retort, but Lin Chaoyang didn't give her a chance to speak. He pointed to the Spanish ham on the kitchen island.
"Do you know how to make ham?"
"Of course," said Judith Jones.
She deliberately showed off: "A good Spanish ham needs to use Iberian black pork as raw material.
It takes several months to a year to be air-dried before it matures and reaches an excellent flavor."
Lin Chaoyang nodded, "That's right."
"Time is food's best friend, and time is also food's mortal enemy.
Although we already have a variety of technological methods to preserve food, ancient methods such as pickling, soaking, drying and smoking have also given us unexpectedly different ways of preserving food.
Different, sometimes even more mellow and delicious taste,
To this day, these foods that have been re-created by time still affect people’s daily diet.
And it contains some special human feelings about taste and the world's human heart——."
Lin Chaoyang's tone was gentle and had a sense of telling, which easily made Judith Jones shut up. Her attention had been completely attracted by Lin Chaoyang's words.
"In Hunan, our country, every autumn, the grass flowers bloom in the rice fields, and it is also the time for the Miao people to make pickled fish and bacon.
The area in western Hunan is rich in wood, and the best fuel for smoking bacon is hardwood, such as tea trees and bayberry trees.
When smoking and roasting, the marinated meat should be hung on the fire pit for heating and cooking, and pine cones, tea shells, etc.
Put orange peels, etc. into the fire pit, so that the bacon baked will have the aroma of tea fruits.
For the simple Miao people, pickled fish and bacon are not only a kind of food, but also a life and memory preserved in the years, which will never be forgotten——"
As Lin Chaoyang spoke, everyone present, including Judith Jones, seemed to see a pastoral pastoral and a scene of human fireworks, as if they were immersed in the scene.
After a very beautiful description, everyone was immersed in the pictures weaved by Lin Chaoyang, and lingered there for a long time.
"It's so beautiful, such poetic language." Doris Lessing said with emotion.
Jason Epstein still retained the scene just now in his mind, "Lin, after what you said, I want to try that pickled fish and bacon!"
Lin Chaoyang smiled and said, "You can't eat it in the United States."
Judith Jones looked at Lin Chaoyang with a complicated expression. Although she didn't want to admit it, she could already see the gap between her and Lin Chaoyang's understanding of food based on the description just now.
Diet is an attitude towards life, art and Tao.
Judith Jones seemed to understand why Lin Chaoyang had such an attitude just now, and at the same time, a strong sense of joy arose in her heart.
Just as she was about to speak, Gottlieb's voice rang out.
"Lin, your understanding of food is so profound. It is not only refreshing, but also full of artistry.
It has truly elevated food to the level of culture.”
Gottlieb's voice was a little excited, and his praise was not stingy. Anyone who knows him well knows that Gottlieb is not a person who would give others such high praise so easily.
Listening to his praise, Lin Chaoyang smiled and said thank you.
He may be modest about other things, but when it comes to food culture, he is very confident.
His attitude towards Judith Jones just now was not hostile, but he really looked down upon the kind of recipe-style cooking books from the United States.
"Mastering the Art of French Cooking", "Italian Classic Cooking", "Middle Eastern Cuisine"---Listen to these names, do any of them look like they were thought up by a serious chef?
The key is that this thing can actually sell millions of copies!
"Lin, would you be interested in writing a column in The New Yorker? Just write what you just said." Gottlieb suggested.
Hearing his words, Judith Jones became excited before Lin Chaoyang expressed his stance.
"Robert, we have an idea. We can let Lin write a column in your New Yorker, and I will be responsible for compiling and publishing it."
Gottlieb smiled and nodded, "This is a great suggestion!"
The two of them talked passionately, but they ignored Lin Chaoyang, the person involved.
"That——Robert, I'm afraid I won't be able to write the column. This time when I come to the United States, my main task, in addition to accepting the award, is to prepare a new novel."
Gottlieb said: "This is not a conflict. Lin, our "New Yorker" has one short article every week, a thousand words, and it won't waste much of your time."
"but--..."
Just as Lin Chaoyang was about to refuse, Judith Jones said again: "Lin, don't you want the American people to know more about Chinese food culture?"
Her words hit Lin Chaoyang's seven inches. Seeing that Lin Chaoyang was beginning to show hesitation, Judith Jones's eyes flashed with satisfaction.
From Lin Chaoyang's every move just now, it was not difficult for her to see Lin Chaoyang's pride in Chinese food culture.
Just be proud. How should you respond to my words?
"Judith is right. Lin, this is a good opportunity to spread your Chinese food culture." Gottlieb also added a piece of firewood.
Others looked at this situation with great interest, knowing that publishing an article in the New Yorker was not something ordinary people could do.
No one thinks that this is such an honor given Lin Chaoyang's fame and strength, but what Gottlieb is talking about is a personal column, which is much rarer.
The columns of The New Yorker cannot represent a writer's popularity, but they can certainly represent a writer's professionalism in a certain field. Only writers, reporters and researchers who are renowned in a certain field are qualified to publish columns there.
When Lin Chaoyang was hesitating, Jason Epstein also advised: "Lin, this is a good opportunity and a new try for you."
Lin Chaoyang glanced at Epstein. Because of his partnership with Random House, his relationship with Epstein was obviously closer.
He was already shaken, but when he saw Epstein persuading him in the same way, he borrowed the donkey from the slope and said with a smile:
"Okay! Since you all believe in me so much, then I will give it a try."
Gottlieb smiled very happily, "Lin, you made a wise choice!"
Epstein had a mocking look on his face, "Publish a column in The New Yorker, and Judith is responsible for publishing it. Lin, no one has enjoyed this kind of treatment before."
"It's an honor." Lin Chaoyang said.
Gottlieb and Judith Jones were a little conceited. They had no airs when they persuaded Lin Chaoyang just now. That was because they were impressed by Lin Chaoyang's talent.
They are not so easy to talk to ordinary writers.
While they were joking, dinner was ready and everyone sat down to eat.
Following the topic just now, Judith Jones asked Lin Chaoyang some questions about Chinese food.
"Judith, in fact, many people have a big misunderstanding about Chinese food. They are used to dividing food by country. This is not a big problem for European countries such as France and Italy, but this division does not apply to Chinese food.
.”
"Why?"
"When we talk about diet, it is actually a lifestyle that has been gradually developed by a certain group of people in a certain region since ancient times.
China has a vast territory with different terrains, including coastal areas in the east, plateaus in the west, plains in the north, mountains in the south, basins, deserts and Gobi deserts, and hills. The northeast is close to the northern frigid zone, while the south is close to the tropics.
Such a huge span of longitude and latitude not only creates the ethnic diversity of different countries in China, but also creates completely different eating habits in different places.
For example, my hometown in the three northeastern provinces is cold, and the food style is a bit rough, with heavy oil and salt seasoning. Because in the long winter, people must use this to ensure their physical strength.
The Sichuan and Chongqing area is famous for its spiciness, because it rains a lot and the temperature is high. The capsaicin in peppers can effectively help people dispel cold and dampness. Of course, this is a concept in traditional Chinese medicine...
Therefore, many people summarize and summarize Chinese food in the form of a country, but they often fail to do so. This is the reason.
I think a more accurate way is to divide it by province or region.
For example, the plains of Northeast China and eastern Inner Mongolia have similar eating habits, so they are divided into the unique food system of Liao cuisine -..."
Speaking of China's food culture, Lin Chaoyang talked eloquently and endlessly. Everyone present was stunned for a moment. They did not expect that the Chinese food system is so complicated.
"interesting!"
When Lin Chaoyang's explanation came to an end, Gottlieb praised him.
Everyone didn't mind that Lin Chaoyang had unknowingly become the protagonist of tonight's party.
Those present are typical left-wing intellectuals who advocate against issues such as racism, sexism and environmental destruction, emphasize individual freedom and multiculturalism, and are highly inclusive.
Therefore, I do not reject the food concepts and culture explained by Lin Chaoyang, but rather appreciate them very much.
Their personalities and preferences are also a microcosm of the readership of The New Yorker magazine.
There were several old comrades in today's gathering who were over sixty years old, and their energy was far less than that of young people. The gathering broke up at nine o'clock in the evening.
Before leaving, Gottlieb did not forget to ask Lin Chaoyang to write two articles and hand them in early so that he could promote the column.
Lin Chaoyang agreed and then left.
Jason Epstein took the initiative to get together with Lin Chaoyang, and only opened his mouth after walking out of Gottlieb's yard.
"Lin, do you think Gottlieb's invitation to write a column is a bit out of the blue?"
It seemed that Epstein knew something about the inside story. Lin Chaoyang nodded and said, "A little bit."
Jason Epstein sighed and said: "He can't help it——"
In 1985, Samuel Newhouse took over the position of "The New Yorker" and made many adjustments to the magazine's content for commercial purposes, which for a time caused the "New Yorker"'s image in the minds of readers and advertisers to be greatly reduced.
It was under such circumstances that Robert Gottlieb took over the New Yorker.
After taking over as editor-in-chief, Gottlieb appeased the generals left behind by former editor-in-chief William Shawn, became closer to writers, and made the always popular McGrath his second-in-command.
In terms of magazine content, he continued the previous features and also requested that the topic selection be expanded to a wider range.
Become more approachable to young people.
These measures of his have successfully retained readers of The New Yorker, but that's all.
After all, the glorious era of print media has passed since the late 1980s.
But as a capitalist, Newhouse is not satisfied with the current situation of The New Yorker. From his perspective,
The New Yorker is the most respected magazine among American intellectuals, with millions of loyal readers.
Moreover, these readers are all high-net-worth individuals, and the value that The New Yorker wants to create should be far beyond the current level.
"In the past six months, Robert has been under a lot of pressure. He actually wants to complete the tasks assigned by his boss, but the premise is to maintain the magazine's line and style.
Your expertise in food culture is very attractive. I think he also took a fancy to this and wanted to try to contribute to "
The New Yorker brought about some change.”
After listening to Epstein's statement, Lin Chaoyang nodded clearly, "That's it."
Epstein added: "No matter what, don't put too much pressure on me. Things like columns may be important to ordinary writers, but to you they are just for fun."
"I understand." Lin Chaoyang replied with a smile.
Two days later, Lin Chaoyang received a notice from Luann Walter that Ron Woodruff agreed to Lin Chaoyang's novel based on his experience, but there was one condition.
"What conditions?"
Luan Walter looked embarrassed and did not answer Lin Chaoyang's question, "He is a madman!"
When Lin Chaoyang heard this, he immediately understood that it must be Ron Woodruff who proposed some seemingly unbelievable conditions.
"You're not going to make a blood pact with me, are you?" Lin Chaoyang said jokingly.
Luan Walter smiled bitterly, "He's not that scary."
He sighed and said: "He asked us to guarantee that your novel must sell 5.3 million copies and be adapted into a movie. In fact, his idea is that it is best to make it into a movie directly."
Lin Chaoyang looked calm when he heard this condition. For a terminally ill person, it is not surprising to propose any conditions.
"His conditions don't make sense, right? It takes time to sell novels. No matter how popular they are, 5.3 million copies cannot be sold in one or two years.
By that time, he might not be...——
Realizing that what he said next was inappropriate, Lin Chaoyang changed his tone, "I understand, he wants his story to be known to more people, and he wants to leave his name in history!"
Luan Walter snapped his fingers, "Yes. But this condition is too harsh. He doesn't understand 530
What is the concept of selling 10,000 copies, let alone being adapted into a movie—"
"Does his sales have to be in the United States?"
Lin Chaoyang interrupted Luan Walter. He hesitated and said, "I didn't say that."
"That's acceptable." Lin Chaoyang said in a low voice.
"What?" Luan Walter looked surprised.
"I said I can agree to his conditions." Lin Chaoyang repeated, and then explained: "My novel,
Sales have been pretty good.”
Luan Walter has been cooperating with Lin Chaoyang for three or four years. Of course he knows that his novels have sold well in many countries, but he does not know the specific sales of these works.
The key is, which writer can guarantee that his novel will sell 5.3 million copies?
"Lin, I feel that there is really no need to agree to his conditions. Even if I really want to write his story, it is not impossible to use his experience."
Lin Chaoyang pondered and said: "It doesn't matter. His experience is indeed legendary and naturally spreadable. I can't guarantee how good I will write it, but the topicality and sales volume of this novel will definitely not be bad."
After Luan Walter heard this and thought about it, he also felt that it made sense, but there was also the matter of film adaptation.
This kind of thing is beyond the control of writers and publishers!
As if he had seen through his thoughts, Lin Chaoyang cleared his throat, "As for the movie adaptation, it's easy..."
Luan Walter looked puzzled, and Lin Chaoyang said: "I haven't mentioned it to you before, but my wife is actually running a film company, um, it will be listed soon."
Luan Walter immediately understood the key point that Lin Chaoyang wanted to express, and looked at Lin Chaoyang with a look of surprise and disbelief.
He thought of the adaptations of Lin Chaoyang's works, "The Truman Show?"
Lin Chaoyang nodded, "Yes, my wife's company took the photo."
Thank you for your own production and sales!
After understanding the situation, Luan Walter had no worries.
Lin Chaoyang asked at this time: "Do you know why he insists on the number '5.3 million'?"
Luan Walter was also confused, "Who knows what he is thinking!"
"It seems that he can only answer it himself."
Luan Walter asked with a complicated expression: "Lin, do you really want to see him?"
HIV was only discovered and named in the early 1980s. In just ten years, hundreds of thousands of people in the United States have been infected.
And because it was first spread among men, American newspapers were filled with words such as "gay killer" and "gay plague" for a time.
Due to the fuel and influence of the media, the attitude towards AIDS from the U.S. government to the American people at that time was that "only those who have been punished by God will get sick."
The hobby of cut-sleeve dragon Yang has existed in all countries since ancient times. It was not until the rise of the "gay movement" in the 1970s and 1980s that the public in the United States gradually became more tolerant and accepting of this special group.
As a result, HIV emerged within a few years, and the reputation of the gay community among ordinary people was even worse than before. It is not an exaggeration to say that they are "rats crossing the street, and everyone calls for beating them."
It is normal for a terminal disease that can be infected to cause this kind of disgust and for everyone to feel insecure.
"Let's meet each other, we need to accumulate materials! And we have an old saying in China that a gentleman is magnanimous.
It means.""
Seeing Lin Chaoyang's attitude, Luan Walter suddenly felt an unspeakable touch and admiration in his heart.
He suddenly thought of the award speech given to Lin Chaoyang for the Neustadt International Literature Prize - writing the times in words.
Love life and freedom, respect history and nature.
What a fitting evaluation!
Two days later, an Oldsmobile was speeding down the New Jersey Expressway.
Luan Walter held the steering wheel, and Die Die kept complaining.
"Damn it! I wonder what kind of ecstasy you gave Jason? Why do you want me to do this job?"
"2800 kilometers! This is almost 3000 kilometers!"
Lin Chaoyang on the side was flipping through the map and complimented absentmindedly: "Lu An, your math is really good!
Luan Walter was silent. After a while, he persisted and asked, "What on earth did you say to Jason?"
Lin Chaoyang put down the map and became serious,
, "It's nothing, I'm just saying, if you market this book well, you can easily sell two to three hundred square copies!"
Luan Walter looked at Lin Chaoyang in horror when he heard this.
"Watch the road!" Lin Chaoyang reminded.
Luan Walter turned his head and looked forward, "You really dare to talk nonsense, and you were beaten by Ron before we even met.
Woodruff is infected?"
He waited for a while, and when Lin Chaoyang didn't reply, he asked uncertainly: "Do you really think you can sell so many copies?
Lin Chaoyang shrugged, "Who knows? Anyway, it's topical enough.
After a while, Luan Walter said: "I hope it can be done, otherwise my job as a driver will be in vain."
Then he asked: "Why do we have to drive there? It's easier to fly. At worst, we can rent a car locally."
Lin Chaoyang said leisurely: "If you want to write about American culture, how can you do it without experiencing the American customs and customs?"
You experience the local customs, why am I the one who is tired?
Luan Walter didn't ask this, because he saw that Lin Chaoyang didn't care about his life or death. The editor has no human rights. I want to sue the United Nations!
New York is more than 2,800 kilometers away from Texas, the destination of Lin Chaoyang's trip. Luan Walter drove his Oldsmobile with 100,000 kilometers all the way out of New York, down to New Jersey, through Washington, and through Virginia...—
After two days, we finally arrived in Texas.
After getting off the bus, Luan Walter's feet were weak. The first thing he said was: "Lin, when you get back, you can get your driver's license and I'll pay for it!"
Lin Chaoyang shook his head, "You have been a driver for 20 years after all. Didn't you tell me before that you drove from New York to Los Angeles when you were young?"
Luan Walter was angry, "At that time, I drove the car interchangeably with my wife."
"We're not in Los Angeles, so it makes sense for you to drive alone."
Chapter completed!